Sign



April 23, 1946. H. A. HOYAG 9 2,999,029

SIGN

Filed Aug. 17,. 1944 Attorneys Patented Apr. 23, 1946 UIJTITI'ZD STATES PATENT OFFICE :SIGN

Herbert'A- PROM, Tecumseh, iMich. -A u tin 19%,;Serial1N0.;549,810

'3* Claims.

This invention relates to signs and more particularly to that type of sign wherein the arrangement-of letters or characters thereon may be changed at the will of the exhibitor.

A primary object 'of this invention is the provision of a sign having interchangeable letters, which letters may be changed with a minimum of difficulty and effort and yet which will, at the same time, be securely retainedin related assembly with the background of the sign. 1

An additional object is the provision of such a sign wherein the letters may be arranged in such manner as to provide words reading horizontally, vertically, or diagonally as desired.

A still further object resides in the provision of such a sign which will be durable in construction, simple in operation, and relatively economical to manufacture.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out herein. v

In the accompanying drawing, wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept Figure 1 is a front elevational view of one form of sign embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom elevational view of the sign shown in Figure 1', certain parts thereof being shown in dotted lines and certain other parts thereof being broken away. A

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of th retaining strip for the letters comprising a feature of this invention.

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of one letter adapted for use with the sign.

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a letter also adapted for use with the sign; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having particular reference now to Figure 1, there is generally indicated at In a base or backing plate, forming the background of the sign, and provided with a plurality of rows of holes j l I; arranged so as to be both vertically and horizontally aligned, such arrangement resulting automatically in diagonal alignment of the holes in adjacent rows. As best shown in Figure 6 grooves or recesses 12 adapted to contain suitable nuts or plates having threaded apertures therein are positioned in the rear face of the sign, the threaded apertures being in alignment with each of the holes ll.

The reading matter of the sign is portrayed by letters, figures or other characters, representative specimens of which are designated -by the reference character 1-3. The characters l3 are of ,a substantial thickness and have one or more apertures 14, according to the configuration of the character, passed laterally therethrough from side to side. Letters I3 are adapted to be positioned on bars l5, and suitably arranged and spaced thereon to spell out a requisite reading matter. Each of bars [5, which may be made of varying lengths to accommodate varying lengths of words, is provided with a plurality of apertures 16 therethrough, the apertures being so spaced as to coincide with the spacing of holes II in background I 0. It may here be pointed out that the horizontal and vertical spacing of holes H is such that the distances therebetween are either equal, both horizontally and vertically, or one of such distances comprises a multiple of the other distance in order that the same strip may be used for all straight lines either vertically or horizontally. Of necessity, difierent strips having holes spaced a different distance apart are utilized when it is desired to arrange the wording of the sign along the diagonal lines between the holes in backing or supporting plate ID. In the operation of the device suitable strips [5 are first selected and the desired characters mounted thereon in the desired arrangement by passing strips l5 through apertures M. The strips and their associated letters are then positioned in suitable alignment on background III, and secured in place by screws [8 which pass through selected holes l6 and holes II, and threadedly engaging the threaded apertures in members I2 to secure the parts in related asembly. When it is desired to change the sign screws [8 are released and strips l5 removed. The same strips, or others having suitable rearranged wording thereon are then reassembled to the background I!) in the manner previously described.

Letters l3 and background [0 as well as strips l5 may be made of any desired material, as for example, plastic, metal or wood, and the parts may be of any desired size from a small window display, for example, to a roadside bill board. It is preferable that the letters and the background be of contrasting colors to enhance visibility, but any desired color or scheme of decoration may be used for either the background or the letters, it being noted, however, that the strips 15 should be preferably of a transparent material such as plastic in order to minimize the visibility of such strips.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided a device achieving all the objects of this invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: 7

1. In a sign the combination of a base having a plurality of vertical and horizontal rows of holes therethrough, characters having transverse apertures therethrough, strips adapted to slide within and through said apertures to form a mounting for said characters, said strips having a plurality of holes therein so spaced as to coincide with said first-mentioned holes, members having threaded apertures therethrough positioned on the back of said plate adjacent each of said holes through said plate, said apertures being in registry with said holes, and means comprising screws to pass through selected first and second-mentioned holes and threadedly engaging said apertures to secure said strips to said base.

3. In a sign, the combination of a base having a plurality of vertical and horizontal rows of holes therethrough, members having threaded apertures therethrough positioned on the back of said base adjacent each of said holes, said aper tures and said holes being in registry, strips having a plurality of holes therein so spaced as to V coincide with said first-mentioned holes and a plurality of holes therein so spaced as to coinside with said first-mentioned holes, and

means, coacting with said holes for securing said hence said apertures, characters adapted to be secured to said strips and means coacting with 

